Share the Magic of Play with Kids in Need: Donate Your Toys & Games at the Close of Toy Fair

January 26, 2018 | Every child deserves a chance to hug their favorite stuffed animal or show off their favorite superhero costume, but not every child has toys to call their own. That’s where The Toy Foundation (TTF) comes in – the organization will once again host its largest toy drive of the year at the 115th North American International Toy Fair, collecting thousands of playthings to give to kids in need.

As the official charity of Toy Fair, the Foundation and its team of Toy Bank volunteers will collect puzzles, plush, arts and crafts, dolls, action figures, and every other type of toy and game from exhibitor booths at the end of the show. The donated toys will be sent to children’s charities in the New York tri-state area serving kids who are impoverished, neglected, sick, or otherwise in need. Last year, the Foundation collected more than 50,000 donated toys and games from hundreds of toy companies exhibiting at the show.

“We have seen firsthand the ongoing benefits for disadvantaged kids to use play as a way to step away from the stresses of their lives, even if it’s just for a short while,” says Elizabeth Max, TTF’s senior foundation manager. “The Toy Foundation is working hard to deliver the joy of play to kids in need and counting on the industry’s contributions to make a significant impact in their lives. We are looking forward to connecting with new and returning exhibiting companies to help us make this year’s collection the most successful yet.”

Show exhibitors that would like to participate in this meaningful collection are encouraged to donate items when the marketplace closes at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20. Volunteers wearing bright orange Toy Bank t-shirts will collect toys from exhibitor booths at 4:01 p.m. Exhibitors are encouraged to submit their product donation forms early, or they can drop them off at TTF’s booth (#5701) anytime during Toy Fair. Contact Elizabeth Max (EMax@toyfoundation.org) to learn more.

Since 2003, $200 million in brand-new toys have been distributed to 24 million children and families in need through The Toy Bank, the Foundation’s signature program.